Scientist, activist Ian Trowbridge dead

The retired scientist was relentless in his pursuit of records and information. Once he nailed down what he considered a public disservice, he was quick to confront the offending official.

At a 2006 meeting of the county Board of Supervisors, for example, Trowbridge broke the usual decorum and addressed Bill Horn, the powerful North County supervisor.

“Why does your chief of staff live in a million-dollar house that you own separately from your wife?” Trowbridge said during the public-comment portion of the meeting. “Do all board members extend this privilege to their chiefs of staff? Does your chief of staff pay market rate rent, Mr. Horn, and have you reported that on your statement of economic interest forms for 2004 and 2005?”

Horn said there was nothing improper about the real estate transaction with his staffer, but he did amend his state forms to disclose it.

"Ian was one of the most passionate citizens I've ever worked with at City Hall," said Councilman Kevin Faulconer, who was elected in 2005 from a field of candidates that included Trowbridge. "We had a mutual respect for each other. I will miss him."

Trowbridge was born in 1947 and had lived in San Diego since he was in his 20s. His friends said he had an ex-wife who passed away some years ago, and a grown son and daughter. They said his family declined to provide additional details about his personal life.